Palm Beach County has the right idea when it comes to proper growth planning, but the jury is still out on whether the approach is working.

So says the Population-Environment Balance, a private Washington group that advocates responsible growth to minimize harm to the environment.

The group recently canvassed 1,500 counties and municipalities across the country and found that only 280 of them had growth-control programs in place.

Palm Beach County, with its comprehensive land-use plan, impact fees and pending performance standards, was one of those 280 communities.

Although the communities were not formally ranked, the group informally placed Palm Beach County between ``good`` and ``excellent`` on a scale of excellent, good and fair.

``It looks like they (county officials) are trying to do a pretty good job, so they`re certainly above average of the 280 communities we looked at,`` said Bob Gray, who conducted the survey for Population-Environme nt Balance.

But he said his study only showed what policies are in writing. Whether those policies are being adhered to and working effectively was not addressed.

``On paper, I think they`ve got a lot of good policies in place, but the jury is still somewhat out,`` Gray said. ``I`m wondering if they`re going to be able to successfully protect that large agricultural area in the western part of the county.``

The true test of the county`s growth rules will come in the years ahead as diminishing construction opportunities in coastal areas increase development pressures on the Agricultural Reserve, he said.

Whether or not the county`s policies are strong enough to protect the farmlands from development remains to be seen, Gray said.

County Administrator Jan Winters welcomed the positive rating, saying his goal is for the county to be recognized as a national leader in effective growth management.

County Commissioner Ken Adams said the group`s findings reaffirm his belief that Palm Beach County is in the forefront of growth-control.

``When you travel around the country or even around the state and talk to different groups, you realize we`re light years ahead,`` Adams said.

He said growth is ``a great problem to have`` because it also means prosperity and economic health.

``We`re really blessed,`` he said. ``There are many areas of the nation that would give their eye teeth to have growth to deal with.``

But Adams warned, ``It isn`t possible to create plans that will guarantee good growth management. It depends on the willingness of the general public and the will of the public officials.``

Gray described as ``very promising`` Palm Beach County`s proposed series of performance standards, which would ban new growth until the necessary urban services are in place.

The first of those standards, dealing with road capacity, was approved unanimously by the County Commission on first reading Thursday. It now awaits a final vote on Sept. 8.